When I was in the Middle East recently, I could walk anywhere without harassment (though much stares), as long as I had a male companion – i.e, protector. As a woman alone I was considered prey.

Condi Rice, Madeline Albright, et. al, all had their male protectors. Sarah Palin does not. She is therefore percieved as vulnerable.

During the campaign, McCain was not percieved as being strong enough to shield her and therefore did not.

Yeah it’s slightly sexist and misogynist. But there you have it. If you want the instructive comparison, look at Scott Brown. Just as common, politically incorrect and (charmingly) clumsy at times – but you will never see the kind of feeding frenzy that descended on Sarah Palin (and her young children).

P.S., no, Todd does not count – he is rightly seen as being muzzled (probably as he should be) and not in the arena.

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